Paper-feeding machine.



N. MEYERS.

PAPER FEEDINGMAGHINE. APPLXCATION FILED NOV. 3, 1910,

Patented July 1, 1913.

-N. MBYBRS.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 3, 1910.

Patented July 1, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N. MEYERS.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.3,1910.

Patented July 1, 1913.

.% v m m M filflflliwm MW 1w J a Cw UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NICHOLAS MEYERS, or BUFFALO, new YORK, ASSIGNOR TO PETER-C. MEYERS, or

' BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

PAPER-FEEDING MACHINE.

I Specification of wa Patent.

Application filed November 3, 1910. Serial No. 590,498.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, NICHOLAS Mavens, a

citizen-of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Paper-Feeding Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a machine for feeding sheets of paper successively from a pile to a machine which operateson the sheets and more particularly to a machine for feeding small sheets of paper'to a printing press for printing circular letters.

The objects'of this invention are to provide a machine for this purpose which will operate equally well on all kinds and thicknesscs of paper and which can be readily adjusted to feed small or large letter sheets.

In the accompanying drawings consisting of 3 sheets: Figure 1 1s a side'elevation of my improved sheet feedin machine showing the same adapted for ceding comparar horizontal section in line 77, Fig. 5.

tively long sheets. Fig. 2 is atop plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section in line 8-3, Fig. 1. Fig. fiis a fragmentary longitudinal section, on an on larged scale, in line 44, Fig. 2.. Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section, on an en larged scale, in line 5-5, Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is y a fragmentary vertical transverse section in line 6-6, Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary Fig. 8 is a rear elevation of the feeding machine. Fig.9 is a fragmentary side elevation of the same, partly in section, and viewed from the side opposite to Fig. 1. Fig.- 10 is a vertical transverse section in line 10-10,

Fig. 2. Fig. 11 is a vertical longitudinal section of the feeding machine showing the same adapted for feeding comparatively short letter sheets. Fig. 12 1s a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section in line 12 12, Fig. 2, showing the position of the gage which is engagedby a sheet. Fig. 13 is a cross section in line 1313, Fig. 12.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Although the printing press, to which the sheets'to be printed are fed by my improved feeding. machine may be variously eonstruct e'd, that shown in the drawings comprises a .main frame A, a horizontally reoipieo'cafing type bed B within the mea'nd carrying a aseiif type 6,3"

Patented July 1, 1913'.

gage with the face of the typeduring the backward movement of the bed and to clear the same during the forward movement of the bed, and an impression roller E adapted to press the letter sheet against the type during the forward movement of the bed and to clear the same during the backward movement of the bed.

Referring to Figs. 11(), F represents a horizontal table which is adapted to support a pile of sheets 1 to be printed and which is arrangedwith its front end adjacent to the rear end of the frame. This table is preferably supported at its opposite longitudinal edges by means of side supporting brackets G which are adjustably connected with the rear end of the press frame in the manner and for'the purpose to be hereinafter described.

As the sheets. are successively separated from the top of the pile they are received between apair of coiiperating upper and lower horizontal feeding-off rollers H, H and delivered by thelatter to the face of the type on the bed. These feed rollers move forwardly on their opposing sides and are turned in unison by engaging these rollers with each other and operatively connecting the same with the driving shaft by means of a. belt 71 passing around a driving pulley h on the driving shaft and driven pulley h on the shaft ha of the lower feeding-off roller.

The separation of each uppermost sheet from the next lower sheet of the pile is primarily effected by buckling the upper or top sheet between a buckler'and a'n abutment. The bnckler may be variously constructed but preferably comprises a pair of buckling rollers l, I of rubber or other suitable material journaled transversely side by side in hearings on a cross piece 2' arranged at the front end of a buckling rod J. During the backward movement of the buckling rollers over the top sheet these rollers are free turn and therefore do not disturb the sheets but during the forward movement of-th e' buckling rollers the same ,are 'held against of the buckler in contact with the top sheet.

turning by means of a ratchet wheel 1 secured to the shaft 1 of the buckling rollers and a detent pawl Z secured to the cross piece and engaging with the teeth of the ratchet wheel, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and ,4.

The buckler is moved forwardly and backwardly over the pile of sheets preferably by means which comprise an upright rear rock lever arranged in rear of the pile table and having its upper arm pivotally connected with the rear end of the buckler rod J, an upright front rock lever y" connected at its upper end to a transverse rock shaft j journaled in bearings j on the underside of the table and having its lower end connected by a front connecting rod j with the mangle gear rack C, and a rear connecting rod j which connects the lower arm of the rear rock lever with the intermediate part of the front rock lever. By this means the buckler is moved forward during the backward stroke of the type bed and vice versa. During the forward movement of the pile the front end of this sheet is held against forward movement. by an abutment M which bears downwardly against the front end of the pile whereby that part of thetop sheet between the buckler and abut: ment is buckled upwardly and the rear end of the sheet is moved forwardly, as shown in full lines in Fig. 5. After the top sheet has been thus buckled the abutment is raised, thereby permitting the sheet to straighten out and project at its front edge beyond the front side of the pile and bet-ween the feed.- ing rollers Tl, H whereby the sheet is carried bodily from the pile and delivered upon the type face of the bed which at this time is in its rearmost position ready to receive the sheet. After the sheet has been depositod on the type face the bed advances and carries the sheetunder the impression roller E whereby an imprint is produced on the sheet. At the end of the forward movement of the bed the'shect is removed from the type in any suitable manner, so that the type may be inkcdduring the subsequentbackward movement of the bed preparatory to receiving the next following sheet.- As the top sheet is being carried from the pile the buckler moves rearwardly and after the rear edge of the sheet has cleared the abut ment the latter again descends upon the pile preparatory to buckling the next sheet.

Various means may be employed for raising and lowering the abutment those shown in the drawings being preferred and con st 'ructed as follows :The abutment is pref crably constructed in the form of a hori zontal plate which is provided on its undcrside with a facing m of rubber or similar material so as to enable the same to obtain a firm grip on the sheet of paper. This plate is secured centrally on its upper side to the which is secured to one side of the feed table and also slides through upper and lower eyes a, n of an upward extension of said bracket, as shown in Fig. 10. The abutment is permitted to move vertically but is prevented from turning horizontally by means of a vertical guide rod n secured to the abutment and passing through an opening n" in the bracket 11. The abutment is pressed constantly downward by a spring 0 surrounding the shifting rod and hearing at its upper and lower ends against the bracket- 1 and the abutment. The upward movement. of the abutment is effected by a tiltable clutch ring 79 mounted on the shifting rod N above the lower eye it of the bracket n and provided on one side with a laterally projecting pin 79, an upright upper link 1) guided on the bracket n and connected loosely at its upper end with the pin 32 a horizontal upper lever pivoted trans versely on the bracket n and pivotally con nected at its inner end with the lower end of the upper link p a lower upright link connected at its upper end with the outer arm of the upper lever Q, a lower lever pivoted lengthwise on the bracket at the side of the feed table and connected at its frontend with the lower end of the lower link, and a cam q arranged on the rock shaft j and engaging with a roller Q3 on the rear arm of the lower rock lever.

During the last portion of the backward movement of the bed the cam turns in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 9, which movement is transmitted by the intermediate mechanism to one side of the clutch ring, whereby the latter is tilted and caused to grip the shifting rod- N, thereby causing the latter to be lifted and the abutment to be raised from the pile. After the rear edge of the top sheet has cleared the abutment the cam (f in its return movement permits the clutch ring 7) and abutment to de scend together until the clutch ring rests on the lower eye n whereby this ring is permittcd to straighten and release itself from the shifting'rod N. .l'Vhen this occurs the latter and the abutment are free to continue their downward movement under the action of the spring 0 independently of the clutch ring until the abutment bears against the top of the pile. By this means the abut ment is always lifted the same distance during each operation of the machine but the same is permitted to move downward after each lifting operation until it bears against the top of the pile, thereby automatically compensating for the lowering of the top of the pile as the sheets are fed off successively and enabling the abutment to bear with a 7 45 V retainer S which is movable vertically -the sheet, as shown by dotte of the pile during each buckling operation regardless of whether the pile, is high or low.

If desired, the downward movement of the clutch ring p may be effected solely by gravity but to insure prompt and quick downward movement of the same the action of gravity may be supplemented by a spring P which is arranged around the shifting rod N between the upper guide eye n and the clutch ring 19.

W hen thepile of sheets needs replenishing the abutment and associated parts are lifted the required extent by means of a knob or handle 11, at the upper end of the shifting rod to permit additional sheets to be placed under the abutment after which the abutment is released and the operation of the machine continues without requiring any readjustment of the parts.

As the abutment rises to permit the buckle in the sheet-to straighten out the buckle! is efl'cting the last part of its forward movement and in order to prevent the buc kler at this time from interfering with or displacing the top sheet after the latter is within .the grasp of the feeding roller, means are provided for lifting the buckler from the pile. The means for this purpose preferably comprise an inclined lift mg arm R which projects rearwardly from the center of the abutment and which is adapted to be engaged by the shaft of the buckling rollers between the latter. During the last part of the forward movement ofthe buckler the shaft of its rollers passes over the lifting arm'R, as shown by full lines in Fig. 5, and when the abutment at this time is' raised from the sheet the arm thereof also raises the bucklin lines in the same figure.

For the purpose of preventing more than one sheet at a time from being fed off from the pile means are provided comprising 21 toward .and from the top of the pile at the rear end thereof. This retainer preferably has the form of a horizontal plate which is provided on its underside with a facing s of rubber or similar material so as to cnable the same to obtain a firm grip on the sheets. During the first part of the forward movement of the buckler the retainer is raised so as to permit the rear edge of the topmost sheet to be withdrawn from "underneath the retainer and after this occurs the latter is lowered upon the rear end of the second sheet so as to preventthe combing or feeding action of the buckler during the subsequent part of its forward movement from disturbing the second sheet, thereby guarding against feeding two sheets at a time from the-pile.

The preferred means for operating the rollers from V pile retainer which are shown in the drawings are constructed as follows '-T represents a vertically movable sripportin' yoke arranged in rear of the feedtable an movably; supported by a pair of parallel links t, t arranged one above the other-underneath the table and pivotally connected at their rear ends with the supporting yoke while their frontends are pivoted to a hanger t depending from the table. The retalner is provided with a rearwardly projecti'ng arm U which is secured by screwsu or otherwise with the upper end offlthe yoke. On its lower part the yoke is pro-v vided with an upright slot V in which 'is arranged an upright lifting rod '0 which is secured to the yoke. 0 represents a hanger depending from the rear part of the table and'p'rovided with an upright slot '0 and also with a guide eye '0 through which the lifting rod 1) passes, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. '0 represents a clutch ring which surrounds the liftih rod 1; above the eye '0 and provided witi a. pin 41 which projects laterally therefrom into the slot '0 W rep resents a vertically swinging rock lever pivoted on the hanger t and engaging its rear arm with the underside of the clutch pin '0 while its front arm is adapted to be engaged I by a cam 10 on the rock shaft j as shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

Vhile the buckler is effecting the first part of its forward stroke and drawing the rear edge of the top sheet from underneath the retainer, the cam 10 depresses the front arm 1 and raises the rear arm of the lever W whereby the clutch ring n is caused to be first tilted, so as to grip the shifting rod v and then to be lifted with the latter, thereby raising the retainer from the pile through the medium of the yoke and associated parts. After the rear edge of the top sheet has been withdrawn forward from underneath the retainer the movement of the cam 10 is reversed so as to permit the clutch ring 1) to descend and rest on the eye a", thereby straightening the latter and disengaging the same from the shifting rod 1. The latter and the retainer connected therewith descend with the clutch ring w until this ring is dis engaged by its straightening movement from the shifting rod after which the retainer and associated parts continue their descent by gravity independently of the ciutch ring 1) until the retainer rests on the rear end of the pile of sheets. Owing to this construction the retainer is always lifted the same extent but the same is free to move downward after each lifting operation until it bears against the pile, thereby automatically compensating for the lowering of the pile as the sheets are successively carried away from the top of the pile and permitting the retainer to operate uniformly regardless of the height of the-pile. I 1'83 As shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 9, the rear rock lever j and the mechanism which operates the buckler is pivoted on the yoke T, whereby the position of this lever is changed simultaneously with the change in position of the buckler and retainer as the surfaceof the pile of sheets varies, thereby automatically harmonizing the operation of these parts of the machine and avoiding the necessity of manual adjustment for this purpose.

The pile of sheets is held in its proper place on the table by means which comprise a fixed rear gage composed of two sections m, as secured to the table and engaging with the rear side of the pile and a fixed side gage a rigidly secured to the table andengaging with one of the longitudinal sides of the pile and provided with a rubber facing gi which I engages the adjacent edges of the sheets and assists in holding back the sheets below the uppermost one, so that only the latter is fed off. On its opposite longitudinal side the pile is engaged by a yielding retarding device which operates to prevent more than one sheet at a time from being carried off the pile by the buckler and feed rollers. This retarding device comprises a front presser finger y constructed of spring metal and hearing at its inner end inwardly against the front part of the pile of sheets, a rear presser finger 3 also constructed of spring metal and provided at its inner end with a pad y of rubber or similar materialwhich is pressed inwardlyagainst the rear part of the pile of sheets, a longitudinal supporting bar Y to which the outer ends of the presser fingers are secured, and means for securing the supporting bar to the table, so that this bar can be adjusted transversely on the table for adapting the tension of the presser finger to the character and size of sheets which are being fed. This adjusting device. as shown in the drawings, preferably comprises an arm y projecting" laterally from the central part of the supporting liar and secured to the table by means of a set screw y passing through a transverse slot 3 in the arm f.

The presser fingers'both operate to hold the sheets in place and assist-in guiding the same as'they successively leave the pile but the rubber pad y of the rear presser finger exerts a retarding etl'ect'on the longitudinal edge ofthe sheets and thus prevents those shrets of the pile below the uppermost one which are not operated upon by the buckle:- from being carried away with the top sheet.

therehy insuring proper feeding of each feeding machine has therefore been sheet and preventing the waste which would occur if more than one sheet at a time could be fed off the pile.

Business letters are usually of two sizes, full sheets and half sheets, which are generally known as letters and notes and this designed as desired. When printing either short or long sheets the same are always fed to the printing type, so that the front ends of the sheets arrive at the same place over the type bed or chase so as to enable the sheets to be grasped at the front edges by the sheet delivery mechanism and removed from the type bed after the sheets are printed.

For the purpose of registering the sheets as the same are fed on the type the bed is provided at its front end on opposite sides of the type with froht gages. Each of these front gages, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 12 and 13, comprises a longitudinal arm 13 constructed of a leaf spring which is secured atits front end to the bed antl provided at its rear end with upper and lower rearwardly and vertically diverging spring jaws I), 12* which yieldingly engage each other. A vertical gage face I) is formed between these jaws by means of a pin arranged on one of these jaws and projecting through an opening in the other jaw. As the sheets are fed by the feeding mechanism over. the type of the bed the front edge of the sheet enters between the pairs of jaws of both front gages and against the gage faces thereof and is held frictionally in place while the same is being printed. During the last part of the forward movement of the type bed the front edge of the. sheet is engaged between its side edges by the gripper B of a sheet.

delivery mechanism which first grips the sheet, then moves the same vrearwardly out of the ]:I.\\'S of the front gages and then carries the sheet forwardly off from the type bed leaving the latter free to move'backwardly and receive the next sheets. This sheet delivery mechanism forms no part of this application and is' fully described in an application for patent filed by myself June tion shown by dotted lines in the same figure. Each of the gages is held by the resilience of its arm in the normal elevated position and the depression of the same is effected by a presser arm I) pivoted on the side of the bed and having a presser finger If which overhangs the gage arm, and a stationary cam b secured to the frame in the path of a laterally projecting lug 11 on the pres er arm. During the last part of the forward movement of the bed the lugs of both presser arms engage with the cams 1), whereby the presser arms and gages 'are depressed after the sheet has been pushed slightly rearward out of the gage jaws by v v the delivery gripper, thereby permitting the l to permit of feeding either letters or notes 1 latter during its subsequent forward move- 130 ment to carry the sheet forwardly otf the type bed without interfering with the front gages.

As each sheet is fed from the pile table to the type bed the front edge of the same engages under the gripper jaws and is gaged. )fter the sheet is printed the same is dismigaged at its front end from the gage jaws and carried from the type Led either by hand or by automatic means.

\Vhen feeding letters or full sheets {lumechanism is arranged, as shown in.l*igs. 1, 2, 5 and 9 in which the feed table is arranged at the rear end of the printing press, the retainer is in its rearmost position and the rod i is connected w h the rear part of the mangle gear rack C.

When it is desired to feed note sheets to the printing press the feed table is shifted forwardly on the main frame, so that the short or note sheets will be deposited on thefront part of the type bed and with their front edges in engagement with the front gages 0 For convenience in permitting the pile table to be thus shifted lengthwise on the frame either in its forward or rearward position, an adjustable connection is arrangedbetween the frame A and the side brackets G which preferably consists of undercut or dove-tail guide ways 1 formed horizontally and lengthwise on op posite sides of the frame at the rear end thereof and clamping bolts 9 each of which passes transversely through one of the brackets G and has its head 9 arranged in the adjacent undercut guideway y and its screw nut 9 hearing against the outer side of the adjacent bracket G, as shown in F 1 and 3. i

When it is desired to shift the pile table lengthwise on the frame for adapting the feed mechanism to'long or short sheets, the nuts of the clamping bolts are loosened to permit the same to slide lengthwise in the guideways and after adjustment these nuts are again tightened to hold the parts in position.

it has been found in practice that owing to the length of the long letter sheets the same can be properly fed from the table to the type bed While the table is in a horizontal position but when feeding short note sheets it is desirable to raise the rear end of the pile table, so that the same inclines forwardly and thereby insure engagement of the front edges of the short sheets with the gages Z). The preferred means for accomplishing this consists of a cross bar Z preferably of angular form secured to the brackets G in front of the table and feed rollers. In the rearward position of the table when feeding long sheets the cross bar Z engages with its upper horizontal flange .2 with the top of the frame A while the lower vertical end of this frame, as shown in Fig. 5, thereby supporting the pile of lcng sheets in a horizontal position.

When it is desired to shift the pile table forwardly the same is tilted upwardly, so that the cross bar Z is raised above the frame and the table and associated parts are moved forwardly into the required position for feeding short sheets. \Vhile thus moving the table forwardly the crrtss bar slides vwith its lower vertical flange over the top of the frame and holds the table in an inclined position when in its foremost position, as shown in Fig. 11, thereby causing the short sheets as they are delivered from the table to engage at their front edges with the front gages b. \Vhen the table is thus moved into the forward position on the printing press the connecting rod j is also adjusted accordingly on the mangle rack (J by shifting the pivot J which connects the front end of the red j* with the rack C from the rear opening J as shown in Fig. 1, lo the opening J formed in the rack C in front of the opening J At the same time the pile retainer shifted forwardly on the table so as to engage with the rear end of the pile of short sheets, as shown in Fig. 11., this being etfected by providing the arm U with suitable openings u a at its front and rear ends for receiving the fastening screws 14 whereby this arm may be secured to the yoke either in the forward or backward position of the retainer relatively to the table. NVhen feeding short sheets, the rear gages w are also shifted forwardly on the table so as to engage the rear side of the pile and hold the same against displacement.

For the purpose of adjusting the throw of the huckler to suit the character of the paper which is being fed the buckler rod J is provided with a longitudinal row of openings I: one or the other of which is adapted to receive a screw 70 on the upper arm of the rear rock lever j, and the front rock lever j is provided with a vertical row of openings 70 one or the other of which is adapted to receive a screw A7 on the front end of the rear connecting rod j, as shown in Fig. 5.

I claim as my invention:

1. A sheet feeding machine comprising a feed table adapted to support a pile of sheets, a bucltlcr adapted to move forwardly over the sheets. an abutment which moves toward and from the pile in front of the buckler, and an operating mechanism for said abutment comprising a shiftin' rod connected with said abutment, a braciet in which said rod is guided, a tiltahle clutch member mounted on said rod, and an actuating member operatively connected with said clutch member on one side of the shifting rod and reciprocating lengthwise of the same.

2. A sheet feeding machine comprising a feed table adapted to support a pile of sheets, a buckler adapted to move forwardly over the sheets, an abutment which moves toward and from the pile in front of the buckler, and an operating mechanism for said abutment con'iprising a shifting rod connected with said abutment. a bracket in which said rod is guided, a tiltable clutch ring arranged on said rod and provided with a laterally projecting pin, and a rock lever operatively connected with said pin.

A sheet feeding machine comprising a feed table adapted to =upport a pile of sheets, a buckler adapted to move forwardly over the sheets, an abutment which moves toward and from the pile in front of the 'buckler, and an operating mechanism for said abutment comprising a shifting rod connected with said abutment, a bracket in which said rod is guided, a tiltable clutch ring arranged on said rod and provided with a laterally projecting pin, a spring bearing against said ring, and a rock lever operatively connected with said pin.

4. A sheet feeding machine comprising a feed table adapted to support a pile of sheets, a buckler movable forwardly over the sheets, an abutment movable toward and from the top of the pile of sheets in front of the buckler, and means for causing said buckler to rise with the abutment comprising a lifting arm which projects rearwardly from said abutment and with which said buckler is adapted to engage.

5. A. sheet feedin machine comprising a feed table adapte to support a pile of sheets, a huckler movable forwardly over the sheets, an abutment: movable toward and from the to of the pile of sheets in front of the buck er, and means for causing said buckler to rise with the abutment comprising an inclined liftinfi arm which projects rearwardly from sai abutment and over which said buckler is adapted to engage in the forward position of the latter.

6. A sheet feeding machine comprising a feed table adapted to support a pile of sheets, a buckler movable forwardly over the sheets, a retainer movable toward and from the top of the pile in rear of the buckler, a vertically movable yoke carrying said re tainer, a support, and links connecting said yoke with said su port.

7. A sheet feeding machine comprising a feed table adapted to support a pile of sheets, a buckler movable forwardly over the sheets, a retainer movable toward and from the top of the pile in rear of the huekler, a vertically movable shifting rod operatively connected with said retainer, a guide for said rod, a tiltable clutch member engaging with said rod, and a vertically movable actuatin member operatively engaging said clutch member on one side thereof.

8, A sheet feeding machine comprising a feed table adapted to support a pile of sheets, a buckler movable forwardly over the sheets, a retainer movable toward and from the top of the pile in rear of the buckler. a vertically movable shifting rod oprratively connected with said retainer, a guide for said rod, a tiltable clutch ring arranged on said rod and provided with a laterally projecting pin, and a rock lever engaging with said pin.

3 sheet feeding machine comprising a feed table adapted to support a pile of sheets, a buckler movable forwardly over the top of the pile ahd provided with a rearwardly projecting shifting rod, a vertically movable yoke. a rock lever pivoted on said yoke and connected with said rod, and a retainer mounted on the yoke and adapted to engage with the top of the pile of sheets in rear of the buckler for supporting said yoke on the pile.

10. A sheet feeding machine comprising a feed table adapted to support a pile of sheets, a buckler movable forwardly over the top of the pile and provided with a rearwardly projecting shifting rod, a vertically movable yoke, a rock lever pivoted on said yoke and connected with said rod, a retainer mounted on the yoke and adapted to engage with the top of the pile of sheets in rear of the buckler for supporting said yoke on the pile, and means for automatically lowering the yoke and the parts associated therewith as the pile of sheets is reduced.

11. A sheet feeding machine comprising a feed table adapted to support a pile of sheets, a buckler movable forwardly over the top of the pile of sheets, an abutment movable vertically toward and from the top of the pile in front of the buckler, a retainer movable toward and from the top of the pile in rear of the buckler, a yoke carrying said retainer, a lever pivoted on said yoke and operatively connected with said buckler, a transverse rock shaft, and means for transmitting movement from said rock shaft to said yoke, lever and abutment.

12. A sheet feeding machine comprising a feed table adapted to support a pile of sheets, a buckler movable forwardly over the top of the pile of sheets, an abutment movable vertically toward and from the top of the pile in front of the buckler. a retainer movable toward and from the top of the pile in rear of the huckler, a yoke carrying said retainer, a lever pivoted on said yoke and operatively connected with said buckler, a transverse rock shaft, a rock lever on said shaft connected with the rock lever on the yoke, a retainer lever adapted to lift said yoke, a cam on said shaft engaging With said retainer lever, and means for lifting said abutment comprising a lever operatively connected with the abutment, and a cam on said shaft engaging with the last mentioned lever.

13. The combination with a printing press having a frame and a longitudinally reciprocating type bed, of a feed table adapted to support a pile of sheets, means for feeding the sheets successively from the table over the type bed, and means for supporting the table horizontally in rear of the press frame when feeding long sheets and in an inclined position over the press frame when feeding shoi t sheets.

14. The combination with a printing press having a frame and a longitudinally reciprocating type bed, of a feed table adapted to support a pile of sheets, means for feeding the sheets successively from the table over the type bed, and means for sup-' the table and said press frame, and an angular cross bar connected with the table and having a horizontal flange adapted to rest on the press frame and support the table in a hm'izontal position, and a vertical flange adapted to rest on the press frame and support the table in an inclined position.

15. The combination with a printing press having a frame, a longitudinally reciprocating type bed, a mangle gear rack connected with the btd and a gear pinion meshing with said rack, a feed table adapted to support a pile of sheets, a feeding device for feeding the sheets successively from the table over the type bed, means for adjusting said table lengthwise of the press for feeding different lengths of sheets, and an operating mechanism for said feeding device adapted to be connected with different parts of said mangle rack.

\Yitnesses Tnno. L. Pore, ANNA Hmeis. 

